Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has strongly denied claims that her recent photoshoot for W Magazine was inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s famous and controversial novel Lolita or its movie versions. She addressed this debate online in a statement she shared on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old singer and actress, known for songs like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” faced criticism after her photos from the shoot showed her in vintage-style outfits and playful poses. Some fans and critics thought the images reminded them of Lolita, which deals with sensitive themes.
“I’ve never seen this movie. It’s not part of my ideas, and it never would be,” Carpenter said firmly on her Instagram Stories, responding to the discussions.
“The photoshoot was about celebrating a bold, retro look, and any comparisons to Lolita are completely wrong and not what I intended,” she added.
In the photos, Carpenter wore 1960s-inspired outfits, including high ponytails, pastel dresses, and big sunglasses, styled by Sarah Slutsky, a fashion editor.
While many fans loved the fun, nostalgic style, others on social media, especially on X, criticized the photos, saying they reminded them of Stanley Kubrick’s 1962 film adaptation of Lolita.
The controversy started when someone on X shared side-by-side comparisons of Carpenter’s photos with scenes from the movie, which led to a lot of discussions. Critics said her style looked like the “coquette” look often linked with Lolita’s controversial views on youth and femininity.
However, many supporters defended Carpenter, saying that retro fashion is popular and the criticisms were misunderstandings of her artistic expression.
In her statement, Carpenter highlighted her focus on creative control in her work, saying, “I always think carefully about the stories I show through my art, and this shoot was no different. It’s upsetting to see it turned into something it’s not.”
W Magazine hasn’t made a comment about the controversy, but sources close to the magazine told Variety that the shoot was inspired by mid-century pop culture and did not mention Lolita in its plans.
This isn’t the first time Carpenter has dealt with criticism over her artistic choices. Her bold music videos and daring lyrics have often caused discussions, yet she keeps gaining a loyal fanbase, with her latest album Short N’ Sweet reaching the top of charts worldwide.
